I have aspirations to write more blog posts – regular content, platform, and all that. There are a lot of things going on right now that could use the added energy: Riddled with Arrows recently launched its second issue. I’ve got newstories and poems floating around in the world or forthcoming. Voting for the 2017 SFPARhysling Award just wrapped up (with two of my poems in the running), the Dwarf Stars voting is now open (also with one of mine), as are the Elgins, plus we have a Contest and a bag of holding full of administrative happenings, well, happening. In short, I done been busy.

But behind the scenes, life takes precedence. We just wrapped up one of the longest and most difficult chapters of our family story, hopefully never to be revisited. I’m still recovering, physically and spiritually, but mostly doing okay. I’ve been enjoying a period of creative abundance–not just the desperate, defiant manic phase that I’m used to, but a purposeful, measured and meaningful stretch of good, old-fashioned work. I’m hoping to keep up momentum over the summer to re-stock my story and poetry stables for submission, then maybe step into something bigger-picture come the fall, once both kids are safely ensconced in school (and not climbing on Mom’s head, literally, as she tries to write).

In the meantime, I’m prepping for a somewhat-surprise trip to northern California to visit my grandmother, who is turning ninety-six-years-young this Saturday. I haven’t seen her in person in three or four years (or my hip uncle Bruce in more than I can remember), and I’ve never been to the West Coast before. Although the hyper-focused, rarely leaves the house without her children mom in me is freaking out a little at the thought of switching planes in a strange city all by myself, the rest of me–the part that USED to have a life, and love adventure–is starting to get psyched. I’m looking forward to a few days in new environs to work, write, and think without little voices overriding everything. Plus, I get to spend a few more days (and, let’s be honest, the last ever) with a very special lady–the only grandmother I’ve ever known.

So that’s why I’m not publishing as much content as I’d like–I know, excuses, excuses. This is just to say, hi, I love you, hope you’re having a nice summer! And also, stay tuned. More words to come. Eventually.